Karachi faces seven-day pillion riding ban

KARACHI: The provincial government of Sindh has imposed a seven-day pillion riding ban in Karachi with effect from March 17, ARY News reported.

The ban is imposed in view of anti-polio drive in the city, starting tomorrow.

The Sindh Home Department has issued notification in this regard.

Polio teams have often come under militants attack in outskirts areas of Karachi during the polio drive, such as Baldia and Orangi Town.

Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio remains endemic. Attempts to eradicate it have been badly hit by opposition from militants and attacks on immunisation teams that have claimed 69 lives since December 2012.

The militants claim that the polio vaccination drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.